In Sunday afternoons 9-3 loss, the Buffalo Bills Defense held the Carolina Panthers to six points through the first three quarters, despite staying on the field for nearly two-thirds of the game on a warm Carolina afternoon. The Bills sacked Cam Newton six times for 50 lost yards. Defensive end Jerry Hughes led the way with two sacks, while safety Jordan Poyer had a strong opening-day performance with multiple plays on the ball Sunday. The Bills held the Panthers to 0-for-3 in their red zone tries.
After scoring 21 points in a season-opening win over the New York Jets the Bills offensene was held to one first down in the first half. Tyrod Taylor passed for only 15 yards in the first half, and LeSean McCoy gained a net of zero yards on three carries over the first two quarters. The Bills' offense gained only 39 net yards on 16 plays in the first half, and 176 yards for the entire game. That was their lowest output since a 160-yard afternoon in the 2016 season opener against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Bills (1-1) return home to New Era Field next Sunday to host the (2-0) high rolling Denver Broncos who defeated the Dallas Cowboys 42-17.